An impaired driving charge in British Columbia keeps costing you long after the roadside or the courtroom. Between the ICBC penalty premiums and higher insurance, many drivers end up choosing between their insurance bills and groceries. You still need insurance to drive legally, so the goal is simple: keep your ICBC costs as low as possible and keep more money for groceries and gas. Here is how insurance works in BC after a DUI.
How car insurance works in BC
In British Columbia, every vehicle needs Basic Autoplan insurance, and Basic insurance is sold only by ICBC. Optional coverage, such as collision and extra third-party liability, can be bought from ICBC or from private insurers. That split matters after a DUI: you cannot shop around for Basic, but you can shop around for the optional part.
The Driver Risk Premium: the big extra cost
On top of your insurance, ICBC charges a yearly Driver Risk Premium to drivers with certain offences on their record. ICBC lists these triggers, among others:
- One or more driving-related Criminal Code convictions.
- Two or more roadside suspensions or prohibitions.
ICBC lists the Driver Risk Premium at $1,108 a year for one driving-related Criminal Code conviction and $4,602 for two, with much higher amounts for more. Two roadside suspensions or prohibitions start at $453. ICBC reviews the previous three years of your record each year, so a single conviction can show up on more than one yearly bill. It is billed even if you do not own or insure a vehicle.
Higher optional insurance premiums
ICBC says frequent or serious driving convictions can also raise what you pay for Collision and Extended Third Party Liability coverage. That is where shopping around can save you money.
How to keep your costs down
1. Compare optional coverage
Ask a broker to quote your optional coverage with both ICBC and private insurers. The difference can be real money each year.
2. Match coverage to your vehicle
- Raise your collision deductible if you can afford it.
- Drop collision coverage on an older vehicle that is worth little.
- Choose a modest, lower-risk vehicle rather than a newer or high-performance one.
3. Budget for the Driver Risk Premium
Plan for the yearly bill so it does not come as a shock. Ask ICBC about your options if you cannot pay it all at once.
4. Keep your record clean from here on
Because ICBC looks back three years, every clean year helps. A new ticket or suspension can keep the premium coming.
The three things that get you through a DUI
Affordable insurance is one of three things that help BC drivers get back on track.
- A good DUI lawyer: whether you end up with a Criminal Code conviction or a roadside prohibition makes a big difference to your ICBC costs. Find a BC impaired driving lawyer and talk to one early.
- Treatment: getting help with alcohol or drugs protects your future and your record. See our free guide to addiction treatment in British Columbia.
- Car insurance you can afford: use the steps above so you stay legal on the road and still have money for groceries and gas.
If you need an ignition interlock, see the approved interlock provider for BC and what an interlock costs. For the full picture, read our guide to what a DUI costs in BC.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICBC Driver Risk Premium?
It is a yearly charge from ICBC for drivers with certain offences on their record, including driving-related Criminal Code convictions and two or more roadside suspensions or prohibitions. It is billed separately from your Autoplan insurance, even if you do not own or insure a vehicle.
How much is the Driver Risk Premium for one Criminal Code driving conviction?
ICBC lists $1,108 for one driving-related Criminal Code conviction, rising to $4,602 for two. ICBC reviews the last three years of your record each year, so one conviction can affect more than one yearly bill.
Can I shop around for car insurance in BC after a DUI?
You must buy Basic Autoplan from ICBC, but you can compare prices on optional coverage such as collision and extra liability, which convictions can make more expensive.
Do I have to pay the Driver Risk Premium if I do not drive?
Yes. ICBC bills it even if you do not own or insure a vehicle, so budget for it.
Source: ICBC, Driver Risk Premium (amounts as listed by ICBC). Checked November 2026. Amounts can change; confirm with ICBC. We are not an insurance broker and do not sell insurance. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
